Mop with disposable mopping element

ABSTRACT

A light-weight mop having a mop head element with gripping means for engaging a planar fibrous sheet obtained from a magazine which maintains the sheet in moist condition until use. Sheets are singly withdrawn from the magazine after disposal of a previously soiled sheet by releasing the gripping means which engages a laterally projecting portion of the sheet.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] Reference is made to my copending provisional application, Ser. No. 60/330,302, filed Oct. 19, 2001 under the title Mop With Disposable Fibrous Element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of hand held mops, and more particularly to types which include a mop head element which supports a planar sheet of fibrous material for cleaning and/or dusting purposes.

[0003] Wet mops traditionally include a fiber absorptive rope head element which is used in wet wrung condition, and which are periodically rinsed in a bucket of soapy water, and wrung to semi-dry condition for re-application to a floor or other surface. After completion of the operation, the bucket is emptied and the mop head is allowed to dry for reuse.

[0004] This task is burdensome, and many attempts have been made in the prior art to simplify it. It is known in the art to provide a mop head construction carrying a planar fibrous replaceable sheet used in either dry or wet form, the sheet being carried by the mop head as a multiple sheet tablet in which the lowermost sheet is torn off when soiled to expose the adjacent sheet for use. It is also known to provide the sheets in separable wet form to be fed over a resilient planar surface of the mop head for application to a floor. The sheets are separable from the web at periodic intervals.

[0005] It is known that such fibrous sheets are far more effective in use when they are in moist condition, rather than completely dry. However, when the mop is used for relatively brief periods of time, between which the mop is stored, there arises the problem of moistening the sheets, and maintaining them in condition ready for immediate use. The sheets can be stored together in a magazine having a source of moisture. The magazine should have means for closure to avoid evaporation, and yet be readily openable, using the mop head to permit extraction of the sheets in a serial manner, without the necessity of manually contacting them. Further, if the mop head is to be of relatively small dimensions compared to that of the traditional rope mop, the fibrous sheets must be engageable at a centrally disposed area thereof, so that the sheets are free to flex at the peripheral edges to form pores or recesses for engagement and retention of small particles, such as crumbs, insects, and the like, and to permit use of the mop head in cleaning corners of the room, the stairwells and the like. Alternatively, if the mop is of larger dimension, corresponding to that of the traditional mop, the engagement will extend over the width of the sheet along a rectilinear line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of improved hand mop construction in which the above described objectives are obtained. To this end, the described embodiment includes an elongated mop handle supporting a mop head having gripping means for selectively engaging a planar fibrous sheet of material disposed within a magazine containing such sheets in stacked condition, the engagement means being operated by an elongated manually-engageable sleeve, a lower end of which operates the gripping means from contracting to expanded condition.

[0007] In a preferred form, a magazine element provides means for supporting the mop when not in use. The mop includes a mop head having clamping means for engaging individual disposable fibrous sheets and supporting them at a centrally disposed area during a mopping and dusting operation, and subsequent release of the sheet for waste disposal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0009]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a second exploded perspective view thereof.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the operation of clamping means forming a part of the embodiment.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the clamping means in closed position.

[0013]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the clamping means.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a clamp head assembly.

[0015]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the clamp head assembly.

[0016]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an alternate form of the embodiment.

[0017]FIG. 9 is a second sectional view of the alternate form taken at right angles to that seen in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a mop element 11 and a magazine element 12 enclosing plural disposable fibrous sheets 13.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, the mop element includes an elongated shaft 20. A lower end 23 supports a mop head 24 including an upper shaft engaging collar 25, a sheet engaging clamp unit 26 and a manually engageable means 27 which operates the unit 26. The clamp unit 26 includes an upper wall 28 and first and second movable clamp members 29, 30 forming a transversely extending jaw 31 for selectively engaging a fibrous sheet 13.

[0020] The means 27 also includes a manually operated handle member 33 which serves the function of separating the clamp members 29-30.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3-7, inclusive, there is illustrated the means for opening the jaw 31. The handle 82 engages a slide collar 87 which operates a cable 83 connected to a clamp actuator 84. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the handle is mounted on a pivot collar 87, and when the handle is raised, the cable 83 raises the clamp actuator 84 permitting the jaw to open. A spring retainer 89 limits travel of a closing spring 90 disposed in an axially oriented sleeve 91. FIG. 7 illustrates a clamp spring 92 carried by a pivot 93 which serves to open the jaws when the handle 82 is in raised condition, so that the individual sheets 13 may be engaged as described above.

[0022] The fibrous sheets 13 (FIG. 3) are formed from a non-woven fibrous material having a slight inap on the exposed surfaces thereof, various forms of which are known in the art. They may also be formed of open cell foam material in sheet form. A main member 70 includes planar surfaces 71, and rectangular edges 72, wherein the member 70 is of generally rectangular configuration. Fused to one of the surfaces 71 is a generally rectangularly-shaped engaging member 74 of foamed material to form two planar portions 76 and a transversely-extending engagement bead 77 which is selectively grasped between the clamp members 29 and 30, following which it can be withdrawn from the magazine for use. Alternatively, the sheet itself may be creased to form a similar bead without forming a separate engaging member 74. It is noted that during use, the member 70 is relatively flexible in the manner of a woven rag or wash cloth, and thus may be used to pick up and retain particular matter, such as crumbs, insects and the like, while that part of the lower surface which is not folded or wrinkled performs a normal dusting or mopping function.

[0023] Upon completion of the above procedure, the soiled sheet 13 is disengaged by upward movement of the slide collar which results in opening the clamps 29-30, and releasing the soiled sheet. A fresh sheet may be withdrawn from the magazine until the supply of fibrous elements becomes exhausted, and a new cartridge 62 is installed. Prior to installation of the cartridge, it is normally sealed by a frangible or removal top wall (not shown) which maintains a constant moisture content of the fibrous sheet.

[0024] The magazine element 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is adapted to be supported upon a floor and includes a housing 32 preferably formed as a molding of synthetic resinous materials. The housing 32 is generally of rectangular configuration, and includes a front wall 40, side walls 41 and 42, a lower wall 43, and upper wall 44 and a rear wall 45. The upper wall forms a mop head engaging recess 47 of slightly tapering configuration and generally conforming to that of the mop head. It will be noted that the mop head cannot be inserted in the recess unless a previously soiled sheet 13 has been released.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, the upper wall 44 forms a generally rectangular opening 50, including transverse edges 51 and 52, and side edges 53 and 54. The edge 51 includes a recess 55 for hinge members (not shown) of a rectangular lid 57 having latch meas (not shown) released by a treadle 59 at the bottom of the front wall. Coil sprig means (not shown) urges the lid 57 to open position once released.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 7-11, inclusive, there is illustrated the means for opening the jaw 31. The manually engageable sleeve 27 includes a slide collar 81, handle 82, connecting cable 83 to clamp activator 84. As seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the handle 82 is mounted on a pivot collar 87, and when the handle is raised, the cable 83 raised the clamp actuator 84 permitting the jaw 31 to open. A spring retainer 89 limits travel of a closing spring 90 disposed in an axially oriented bore 91. FIG. 7 illustrates a clamp spring 92 supported on a pivot member 93 which serves to move the jaw to an open condition, so that the individual sheets 13 may be engaged as described hereinabove.

[0027] The use of the device will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings. When the device is in stored condition, the mop head will be positioned within the recess 47 in the magazine element after discarding the most recently used fibrous sheet. The size of the recess will prevent such positioning if the soiled fibrous element has not been removed from the mop head. The device may then be stored in a closet.

[0028] When the mop head is placed in use, the magazine element is opened as described above, and the upper-most fibrous sheet 13 is then engaged by the mop head. It is noted that during use, the member is relatively flexible in the manner of a woven rag or wash cloth, and thus may be used to pick up and retain particulate matter, such as crumbs, insects and the like, while that part of the lower surface which is not folded or wrinkled performs a normal dusting or mopping function.

[0029] Turning now to the alternate form of the embodiment (FIGS. 7 and 8) to avoid needless repetition, certain of the component parts have been designated by similar reference characters with additional prefix (1).

[0030] The alternate form of embodiment differs from the principal form in the width of the mop element which is substantially wider, and approximately of the same width as a conventional rope type mop. The fibrous sheets 113 include a separate engaging bead member 127 which is positioned centrally of the sheet.

[0031] The bead 127 is preferably injection molded from synthetic resinous materials, and includes a portion 127 a which extends under the fibrous sheet 113 to form a clamp therefor. If desired, the periphery of this sheet may be provided oh one surface thereof with a laminated stiffening strip (not shown), to maintain the sheet in relatively planar condition during storage and use, while yet allowing a degree of flexibility.

[0032] It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in mop construction which facilitates occasional dusting and mopping operations, not only of floor surfaces, but of corners of a room, staircase, and other areas and surfaces which are not readily available for cleaning using a conventional mop. The mop head forms a releasable jaw operated without the necessity of stooping by the user, and enabling serial engagement of a plurality of disposable fibrous sheets from a magazine, which magazine provides a place of storage for the mop when not in use. The contents of the magazine may be replaced when necessary using a replacement cartridge. The disposable fibrous sheets include a flexible planar body, and a relatively stiff mop engaging member having an elongated bead which projects from an upper surface of the fibrous sheet. The magazine element includes cover means overlying the fibrous sheets when in closed condition, to maintain moisture content.

[0033] I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention to be limited to the precise details of structure shown and described in the specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. 

I claim:
 1. mop construction comprising: an elongated shaft, a mop head on a lower end of said shaft, said mop head having first and second relatively movable clamp members forming a jaw; and means medially located on said shaft for selectively opening and closing said jaw:
 2. Mop construction in accordance with claim 1, in which said jaw extends in perpendicular orientation relative to said elongated shaft.
 3. Mop construction comprising in combination, an elongated shaft having a lower end, a mop head on said lower end having first and second clamping members forming a transversely-extending jaw, means for manually opening and closing said jaw located on said shaft, and a descardable mopping planar sheet selectively engaged by said jaw.
 4. The combination set forth in claim 3, further comprising an elongated bead projecting laterally of said planar sheet for engagement by said jaw.
 5. The combination set forth in claim 3, further comprising: a magazine element including a plurality of sheets in stacked relation, said magazine element having a selectively openable cover overlying said sheets forming an opening through which said mop element is projected for engagement of an uppermost sheet.
 6. The combination set forth in claim 5, said opening in said magazine element including a radially inwardly directed peripheral flange; and a cartridge element containing said plurality of sheets having an upwardly facing opening and having a peripheral rim surrounding said opening, said rim being selectively supported by said inwardly directed flange to position said sheets for serial engagement by said mop head.
 7. The combination as set forth in claim 6, said magazine element having a selectively openable cover for maintaining moisture content in said sheets.
 8. A disposable fibrous planar mopping sheet comprising: a first flexible lamina having a continuous peripheral edge, and means forming a bead inwardly disposed of said peripheral edge and projecting laterally of the plane of said lamina for selective engagement by a mop head.
 9. A mopping sheet in accordance with claim 7, in which said means includes a second lamina adhered to said first lamina forming said bead.
 10. A mopping sheet in accordance with claim 7, in which said last mentioned means includes a molded member having sheet-engaging means and forming said bead. 